𝙰 𝙻𝚘𝚜𝚝 𝚂𝚘𝚞𝚕...?

2. 𝙷𝚎'𝚜... 𝚗𝚒𝚌𝚎?

Blurs. Strange Figures. Black. It's dark.

Eh?

When did it become so bright?

What's happening?

I... I can see three flames...? Why are they moving? Are they... speaking? I can hear the sounds of people talking.

I'm on the ground...? Why am I... here?

I- ARGH!

What!? Why does it hurt so bad!?

That light... The pillar!

Why does-!?

Ah...! My head...!?

I try to look forward, but I can see nothing but these flames? Is this a dream?

I feel like I'm about to vomit.

The flame... is getting closer?

Argh... Why does the sky look so bright? It's blinding me.

The flame is right in front of me... Is it going to harm me...?

Oh... Oh no... No no...

I can see it has limbs... Arms, legs, a head... But I can't see them... Why can't I see them?

I'm going insane...

Ah! Did it just attempt to attack me!?

I ducked below it...

Oh no... No no no... Is this how I go...?

Oh no... I'm not an enemy...

I... I'm not going to die... I'll fight for my life!

My spear... I can feel my spear... It's here! I can... I can defend myself!

I can do this!

I...

...

I'm the enemy.

===============

"ARGH!"

Suddenly, the male woke up in a panic, his eyes being opened frenetically and searching around his surroundings.

- Where... am I? -

He looked around. It didn't seem so dark anymore. Ah... The sun is so bright...? The sun? How long has it been since I've felt like this...?

- Hm? I can't... move... -

He then realized he was tied up. Both his legs and hands were tied with ropes. As he looked around, he noticed he had been lying in the middle of a forest, near a few tents and a campfire.

The green was... refreshing. The sounds of nature... Sounds? He could hear distant yelling. Weapons clashing. Arrows being shot... Since when did his hearing become so great?

Nonetheless, he could hear such things happening... Somewhere. He couldn't turn around, since he was stuck. Maybe he could try calling for someone...? What if the flames reappeared again, though?

He decided it was worth the try...

"Um... Is anyone there? Heeeeeey!? Untie me! Come on...!"

He yelled out, trying to attract anyone nearby. If his hearing was correct, a fight was taking place nearby. Still, he couldn't see where. Maybe there was someone close by behind him?

His theory turned out to be true, since he could hear footsteps slowly getting closer to him.

"...(unintelligible)?"